The Bell Tower

Chapter 3

There's an empty space in the corner of the schoolyard. I immediately feel inclined to take my mom's advice to "make friends" a few minutes earlier as "That corner is a pretty cool person, you should go get acquainted."

From my corner I see boys ruthlessly throwing themselves at a slightly deflated ball, vigorous in their intent to win. They look older. They look scary.

But how do you even know that? Who's to say you're young? My thoughts are divided, I realize. it's almost like if I listen really intently, I hear myself; what I'm really thinking. My subconscious exists somewhere, but it's like- Well, it's like dreaming...

I curl up, retreating my face further into the solace found deep within my legs. I sing a soft song, trying to tune out the world and find myself somewhere else.

It's then that a chunky fluid called vomit erupts all over me.

I look up, to find myself presented with a small Indian girl. Her face is incredibly pale, and I can almost swear I can see the what have I done... in her eyes. Then, turning her head away slightly, she throws up again.

This time, I only catch a few specks, in my hair.

The girl looks back at me and sniffles. There are tears and snot running down her face alongside vomit sprinkles. She gargles out a "hello," before deeply sniffling again.

"Hi," I respond, trying to avoid the bit of vomit on my cheek from dripping into my mouth. Looking at her, and feeling the disgusting substance drip across my scalp, I find myself completely out of words for how to respond.

So I respond by emptying my stomach on the girl's new shoes.

The administrators seemed far too worried over the situation. Luckily, having gone through their prolonged process of worrying, calling our parents, and getting us cleaned up, I finally find myself in a position where I'm no longer the center of attention.

The Indian girl is next to me, waiting for her mom to come pick her up. She's still sniffling. "Sorry," she says. "My tummy's a bit off today."

I can't find it in my soul not to instantly forgive her. "What's your name?" I ask.

"Svea," she responds. "Yours?"

I pause for a moment, scouring my mind for the answer. I see my mom, I see the tree- "Willow."

"So, uhm... Willow..." Svea's eyes water up a bit again, and it's hard to tell if she's just sick or upset. "I... Don't want to not be friends!"

I look at her perplexed for a minute. "Why wouldn't we be friends?"

She looks at me slightly amazed. "But I threw up on you!"

"Yeah? But I've never had a friend before..." My voice trails off, as I start to realize maybe letting someone in wouldn't be the worst idea I've ever had.

"HEY!" Svea is suddenly confident, the tears in her eyes popping into wide eyed determination. "Do you want to be... First friends!?"

I chuckle. "You don't have friends either?"

"Well, my family just moved here. And. I think we can get along!" Her face pudge's up as she looks at me with beckoning eyes. I smile.

"First friends forever!"

I woke up to see my hazy vision clear somewhat in the presence of someone. They already appeared more clearly and prominently than any other shape in this world with the exception of the bell tower; thus, my interest pique, and I hesitantly stand to greet the oncoming figure.